Hi MMVT: That's a good reflection of the season. Here's my take on it.
In my humble flatlander opinion, last year was the shining star. The colors, beautiful weather and length of season in 2008 was phenomenal. I experienced little if any rain.
However, I do think this 2009 season started out to be quite promising and showed signs of rivaling 2008. I was up from 10/1 thru 10/7. The day I drove up there was only occasional, splotchy showers but lots of blue skies here and there, and on the reunion day 10/3, we had on and off showers and one downpour. Other than that, my weather was pretty decent and I had no complaints and enjoyed many outdoor activities.
Last year I had continual blue skies on my two trips. This year there were a lot of clouds in and out and that was more the norm. I can't say this affected my views on the foliage. It was warmer last season and was perfect weather for a longer period of time.
The day I drove home on 10/7 was dreadful. Driving on 89 and part of 91 was difficult to say the least. When I got to the VT border the sun came out and the rest of the day was gorgeous! But I hear things went downhill starting on 10/7 with longer and steadier rains, wind and fog.
I thought the colors were great this year. Not sure if anyone will agree, but were there less vivid reds? Maybe before 10/1 there may have been more. Nonetheless, I think the foliage during the time of my trip was beautiful. I really can't complain having only 1 day of on and off showers during my stay, plus the day of heavy rain driving home. If it hadn't been raining the last day though, I would have stayed later and done some more driving around and maybe have extended my trip another day.
I think Mother Nature threw an iron into her "foliage fire" and jumbled things up and subsequently the season was just not what we thought it was going to be weatherwise. I always said Mother Nature holds the reins. Things can change quickly in a heartbeat. Wind was definitely a factor this year and a lot of areas took a hit, even in my state.
I did have a wonderful time and my two coveted activities (besides the reunion and Friday tour of course), where I needed to be outside all the time - the horsebackriding and the Autumn on the Green Festival - both had terrific weather.
Just wondering what everyone else thought. Visits during earlier or later times in the month or in varying parts of the state may have been a different scenario for other visitors............ I would be interested to hear what the local Vermonters think about this season since they live there.
There's always next year!
Oh by the way, as I write this the "monsoon" is upon my state.